This isn’t the first time the Aussie and Canadian have been
scheduled to square off, as the pair initially agreed to face each
other on the “Werdum vs. Tybura” card last November. Unfortunately,
Kennedy pulled out due to injury and then his replacement Humberto
Bandenay also succumbed to injury. The UFC offered Volkanovski
a bout with Drex
Zamboanga, who was then unable to obtain a visa in time for the
fight.

Volkanovski (16-1) is on a 13-fight win streak dating back to May
2013. In Sydney last year, he beat Shane Young
over three rounds to claim his third UFC victory in a row.

“[The] UFC wanted to make that happen,” he said. “We’re both 3-0 in
the UFC. It makes sense. [It’s] something that he definitely
wanted. Jeremy definitely wanted that fight again. But I was
looking at it like, you got injured, unluckily for you, sorry to
hear about that, but I’m ready to be moving forward. That’s sort of
how I looked at it, but Sean Shelby really wanted that fight and,
at the end of the day, you have to keep [the UFC] happy.”

“I think the winner of this will get a ranked opponent,” continued
Volkanovski. “I want these ranked opponents. So if taking him out
will take me high up these ranks, let’s do it.”

Volkanovski believes he holds a significant advantage in the
striking game against Kennedy, but is aware of the threat Kennedy
poses on the ground.

“I still believe I’m going to be better than him on the ground, but
I know I’ll be better on the feet,” he said. “I’m going to be
showcasing all my skills and I’ll definitely be a lot more
comfortable in the striking, knowing that I’m more than happy to be
there.”

Volkanovski currently resides on the east coast of New South Wales
in Australia, and while the fight takes place on the west coast, he
knows he will have the backing of the vocal home crowd this
weekend.